Cuban priest Alberto Reyes Pías, serving as parish priest in Esmeralda, Camagüey, clarified his stance this week on what dialogue with the Cuban regime entails. For him, it's not about negotiating reforms within the current system but rather a focused discussion on when and how the leaders will relinquish power.
In an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, aired live following President Donald Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22, Father Reyes was unequivocal about seeking a peaceful resolution to Cuba's ongoing crisis. He proposed establishing a dialogue table that could include the Catholic Church itself: "The dialogue is: look, you have ruined this country, you have destroyed it, and you must leave. Period. You need to step down. Period. That is the condition."
The True Meaning of Dialogue
Reyes Pías emphasized that when he speaks of dialogue, he is not referring to finding ways to fix what currently exists. "When I talk about dialogue, I'm talking about: okay, how are you going to leave? When? How are we going to arrange for you to step down from power?" he explained.
While acknowledging that establishing a dialogue table would be ideal, he admitted his skepticism about its feasibility. "The ideal is a dialogue table, but I recognize that it sounds naive to me," he confessed.
Father Reyes's doubt stems from a tangible observation: the regime's stance is to cling to power and suppress dissent, offering no genuine peaceful resolution. "I want the change to be peaceful, but my question is: are you providing an option for this to be peaceful?" he questioned.
Alternative Paths to Change
If a peaceful path is not available, Father Reyes Pías indicated that the alternative would be sustained public pressure in the streets to force the government's departure. He also mentioned the possibility of external intervention. On this point, he was straightforward: "Do the people in Cuba on a grassroots level expect and desire it? Yes, yes," though he also labeled this expectation as "naive."
The priest concluded this segment of the interview with a question that encapsulates the desperation of millions of Cubans: "How long will you ask me to accept being your slave?"
Challenging the Regime Despite Pressure
Father Alberto Reyes Pías stands as one of the most politically active voices within the Cuban Catholic Church. Over the past year, the regime has increased its pressure on him: in January, State Security summoned him along with Father Castor José Álvarez Devesa and issued an official warning; in February, he reported harassment, surveillance, and veiled death threats; in July, the regime barred him from traveling to Miami. Despite these challenges, he continues to publish his weekly column "I've Been Thinking" on Facebook and remains vocal in public discourse.
Back in August, the priest had already proposed a national dialogue to initiate a peaceful transition to democracy. In June, he specified that such dialogue would only be meaningful if it included concrete answers on when and how the ruling powers would step down and when free elections would be held in Cuba. This week's statement is the most direct and forceful articulation of that stance.
Understanding Father Alberto Reyes's Stance on Cuban Politics
What does Father Alberto Reyes propose regarding dialogue with the Cuban regime?
Father Alberto Reyes suggests that dialogue with the regime should focus on when and how the leaders will step down from power, rather than negotiating improvements within the current system.
Why is Father Reyes skeptical about a dialogue table with the regime?
Father Reyes is skeptical because the regime's attitude is to hold onto power and suppress dissent, offering no real peaceful solutions.
What alternatives does Father Reyes see if a peaceful dialogue is not possible?
If peaceful dialogue is not possible, Father Reyes sees sustained public pressure in the streets and the possibility of external intervention as alternatives to force the regime's exit.